The Penn's Grove record., 1887-02-19

yells were contagious.
OF course he was a butt for the whole
college. He was "Babe," '~Infant,"
"Humpty Dumpty" still, but every
man, from the professors to the newest
freshman. liked Tony. He was so good
humored, so sincere, and, above all,
in such deadly earnest with his work.
lie began with fresh zeal every norm
ing to score a fresh failure before
night,
BY dint Of pushing, he was taken
into the freshman class.
az doubt If he ever goes further"
said Professor Tyndall to me / was
now a tutor in the lower schooD.
'sThere's not a mean or vulgar trait in
that great body. Under his good humor
there Is a fine, noble nature. But a
minister he will never be. Even If he
could ever speak in public, he never
can take the training"
The half yearly examinations were
at hand. Tony broke down again in
Latin and Greek. l went to his
that evening, and found him sitting "a
straddle Of his chair. his chin on the
back, staring steadily in the fire.
Tony's round face vas as boyish as
ever, but there was an infinite depth
Of longing and pain in his dark eyes.
'tHard luck, Brashier," l said.
"You don't know the worst. Here is
a letter from my mother, counting the
time until | shall be a minister; doing
something for tue glory of Gods Cos
pei and the good of the world. How
can I tell her | am thrown back another
yearY l ought to be at work now, sup
| porting her. L work as q farm hand
during the summer, and earn enough
to help us both; but it is very poorly.
She Is growing old. She ought to live
like a lady"
own you persist herep"
"I will stay the four years. as l have
promised her,"
/ could not reach him with any cour-
age or comfort. Tony was treading
depths of misery where no man could
come nigh to him.
But after that day there was a sing
ular change In him.
He was as regular and attentive In
his classes as he had been before; but
outside of them he withdrew himself
from all his old companions, gave up
his fishing and his club. He was seldom
seen on the ball or cricket grounds,
he scarcely gave himself time for his
meals.
His door was always locked, but
vague reports crept out that 1.-THE
Babe'' was surrounded by piles OF new
books, sheets of drawing paper, pencils
and queer utensils.
BY degrees the new order of things
became habitual and ceased to provoke
remark. There was a gravity and ear
nestness in Tony never seen before.
Sometimes he took a holiday, came to
the ball field, and then his wild "Hur-
rahsl" drowned the others.
Time passed. Men who began with
Tony were now seniors. He was only
beginning his sophomore year.
The college stood in the u OF a
large city, and the boys naturally took
a keen interest IN all public events.
Among these was the erection OF a
large church, which wa to be the most
stately and beautiful in the city. The
money to build it and endow it had
been left by a mar of great wealth,
who requested that it should be kept
free forever for the use of the poor.
All the leading architects submitted
plans to the committee. One was cho.
sen. and the work of building was
pushed on with energy. 1t was neal
the college, and the boys were so inter-
ested Ia the matterthat the new church
became a place OF daily resort, and as
its massive dome and airy spires rose
in the air, each lad felt that he person
ally had a share in it.. Tony especially
was in the habit Of going daily to the
building, and spent hours in watching
its rapid growth and talking to the
workmen,
at last it was finished. 1t was to be
| consecrated the day before commence
ment.
Mrs. Brashier came up to the college
that day. Her reports of Tony's prog.
ress had been vague She came, full oil
despairlng fears, to verify them, and
made her way at once, as before, to
| Professor Tyndall's rooms.
ST have not Tony's confidence any
more,n she complained. "He wrote
me that he is trying faithfully to satisfy
nv wishes, but that he knows that it is
useless. He does not go into details"
The professor went into details, end.
ing with: at Is folly to deceive your
| self. madam. Yon must see that the
| effort Tony has made to become a min
lister is useless, as he says. Are you not
willing eyen now that he shall take up
| some other work in lifep"
The Door woman sobbed miserably.
"Oh. YES, Pm wiling" she gasped at
last. Anything TO earn a livingp But
/ did hope he would do some noble
work. Where is the poor boyp"
The professor rose quickly, glad to
end the interview. 81 have no doubt
he is with all the college at the conse-
Grafton of the new church. l will go
with you there"
The ceremony was partly over when
they arrived. The great marble build
ing, with its vast aisles and inspiring
ing arches, stood beautiful as a visible
HYMN OF praise. The religious services
were over. The building had been ded
icated to the worship of God. Now
the great mass Of people stood outside
| on the green slope of hill surrounding
it. while the executor OF the will for.
maIly delivered the church in charge of
| the trustees who held it for the poor of
the city. He told in a few words the
| story of the will, the sacred purpose to
which the church was forever devoted,
a temple wherein the poorest of Gods
| creatures should come to worship
| Hin.
Tony's mother had found him, and
| CLING TO his arm. She was a devout
woman. She forgot for the moment
| her W troubles. her eyes filled, her
face shone, and she listened with the
great concourse. all of whom Were
moved and touched.
.There is one thing more to be told"
said the speaker. (which makes this
noble offering still more worthy. Most
| of the architects IN the city and state
Submitted anonymously plans for the
building. The n chosen was the
work OF a young 1t is his first
| work, but it shows a power Of skill
| which insure him fame and fortune.
| He refused to accept any reward for it.
| He offered the first fruit OF his I'M
donhtad oanIns tn the sarvica of Him